CST Level 1 Land Surveyor Certification Practice

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the CST Level 1 Land Surveyor Certification. Study using flashcards and multiple-choice questions with detailed hints and explanations. Ace your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


Which of the following best defines the function of a map's scale?

  1. Indicates distances on the map

  2. Shows property boundaries

  3. Depicts natural features

  4. Informs about map ownership

The correct answer is: Indicates distances on the map

The function of a map's scale is fundamentally to indicate distances on the map. The scale provides a ratio or proportional representation that allows users to convert measurements on the map to real-world distances. For example, if a map has a scale of 1:50,000, it means that one unit of measurement on the map (such as an inch or centimeter) represents fifty thousand of the same units in reality. This function is essential for surveying, navigation, and understanding geographical relationships, enabling accurate interpretations of distance and size when analyzing the depicted area. The other options, while related to map usage, do not capture the primary function of the scale. Property boundaries are often shown on maps but are not determined or indicated by the scale itself. Natural features can be depicted on maps, yet their representation does not pertain to the concept of scale. Additionally, information about map ownership is important for legal and copyright implications but is unrelated to how scale functions in the context of measuring distance.